Let your agent know what you expect.

Tell your agent what you want and how you want to be involved in the home search process. Some buyers prefer their agents to handpick properties for their consideration; others want to receive new listings on a daily basis so they can comb through them themselves.

Listen to your Realtor's advice, but remember that you're the boss. And speaking of bosses, it's a good idea for ALL decision-makers to visit the properties your Realtor shows you.

Ask Questions!

All questions are good questions. Who better to help you understand the process, than someone who does? The selling and buying process can be a stressful one - the more you know, the more comfortable you can feel that things are moving in the right direction.

Know your finances.

Determining how much money you can raise for your down payment and how much you can afford to pay on a monthly basis. Go to a lender to find out the size of mortgage you qualify for and get pre-approved. Better yet, use a mortgage broker to find you the best mortgage rate possible. When calculating the costs of home ownership, remember to plan for homeowner's insurance, property taxes, private mortgage insurance (if required), utilities, repairs, and maintenance.

I can recommend a few Mortgage Brokers if you don't already have someone you can trust.

This site's content is the responsibility of Zahra Jiwa, licensed Salesperson(s) in the Province of Alberta.

The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS®, and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service®, and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.